Retired military, police personnel back Villar

MANILA, Philippines - An alliance of retired officers and enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) has promised to support Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Sen. Manuel Villar Jr.

Villar, a reservist of the AFP, has the rank of colonel and is the commander of the 41st Standby Reserve. He is also an adopted member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class ’77.

In a recent meeting at the Laurel House in Mandaluyong City, retired Maj. Gen. Jaime de los Santos, former deputy commanding general of the Philippine Army, led more than a hundred police and military officers in the manifestation of support for Villar. 

De los Santos said that as president, Villar can provide inspiration to the AFP and the PNP.

Villar assured the AFP and the PNP that he would address issues affecting the organization, including the welfare of impoverished troops.

“The country needs a strong leadership that will respect the country’s democratic processes,” Villar said.

Villar also denied the allegations of the Liberal Party that he would give political sanctuary to communist insurgents after Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman Jose Ma. Sison issued a statement supporting Villar’s candidacy. 

Brig. Gen. Ricardo Morales of PMA class ’77 also denied that members of the class met with Liberal Party presidential candidate Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.  

“PMA class ‘77 is squarely behind Villar,” Morales said.